Cisco Deploys Wi-Fi 7 Globally, Sees Significant Security Benefits
Cisco's own IT department has successfully deployed Wi-Fi 7 across its global environment, demonstrating that network modernization can bring significant security benefits alongside faster connectivity and improved performance.
The deployment, led by Cisco's METAC team, resulted in a substantial drop in reported security incidents, with some sites seeing as much as a 40% reduction.
Cisco IT used Wi-Fi 7 in conjunction with other Cisco technologies to strengthen security and enhance connectivity. This integrated approach, known as Secure Networking, involves reinforcing zero trust from the network layer, building security directly into network infrastructure, and using segmentation to limit lateral movement.
The deployment highlighted three key areas that can help organizations strengthen their protection as they modernize their networks: enforcing zero trust at the wireless layer through authentication, embedding security capabilities across routers, switches, and access points, and isolating devices into specific network segments to prevent lateral movement.